I hope this isn't a stupid question - I'll try to explain myself as best I can.

I'm a New Zealander who's been offered a job near Prague, which would start mid-September (the 15th). I've been emailed a copy of the work permit, invitation and accommodation offer (it's included with the job) but of course I need the original copies of those documents to apply for the short-term work visa.

I'm just worried about timing, as it's running out pretty quickly. If those documents don't arrive in my mailbox in time for me to send the visa application to the embassy in Australia (my only option, there's no embassy here), then the application isn't processed by the time I need to leave NZ for CZ, then what happens? Is the lodging of the documents, or proof of a work permit, sufficient for them to let me into the country?

I've been told the application process may take around five days...all things added up, I'm still pushing my luck to have it sorted in time.

They are going to let you into the country as a tourist, on the strength of your passport alone. The guys at border control are NOT going to ask you any questions about why you are there or how long you plan to stay or if you are going to work. The Czech Rep hosts tens of millions of tourists every year and you will not stand out, even if you've got tonnes of luggage. No need to volunteer any info - they are most likely just going to glance at your passport, give you a stamp, and ask no questions. If they do ask, answer honestly, of course, but they are really unlikely to ask. If they ask, your answer that a school has hired you and filed the application for your work visa should be sufficient.

There are many thousands of English teachers here as well - you won't stand out on that count, either. Customarily, it's been allowed to come and start working so long as relevant papers have been applied for - they often take some time to actually get in hand, so you'll just want to be sure that you have something documenting that your application is pending. It's very unlikely that you will be asked to show it to anyone, but not entirely impossible.

It's unusual that schools hire from abroad, but the exception is schools in more remote regions, or schools that need someone with some level of specialisation , such as young learners or something. This school sounds as though it's legit, since it's sent you actual documents. Where will you be?

Thanks heaps, spiral - I'd hoped that as long as the visa process was started, I'd be ok. I have to send my passport to Australia though, which I obviously need to travel anywhere....!....I'm sure I'll work it out.

The school's in one of the larger towns in the Hradec Králové region - I was put in touch with my predecessor through a mutual acquaintance, who mentioned that his boss hadn't started thinking about his replacement native-speaker yet, so I was fortunate to be in the 'right place, right time', so to speak.